How to Help Our Unbelieving Relatives - LET COMPASSIN MOTIVAT YO TO HELP THEM

 Jesus did not give up on those who indifferent to his message. He compared himself to a worker in a vineyard who spared no effort in order to get an unproductive fig tree to bear fruit. (Luke 13:6-9) When Jesus gave that illustration, he had been trying to cultivate faith among his fellow Jews for more than three years. Why did he keep trying to help them. Jesus had compassion for people, and that helped him to be patient with them.

Jesus felt compassion for his fellow Jews because of the religious leaders had failed to help them to develop the faith in God. Jesus saw that the people were "as sheep without a shepherd." (Mark 6:34) Shortly before his death, Jesus wept over Jerusalem because he knew that most of its inhabitants would lose their lives because of a lack of faith. (Luke 19:41-44) When we develop similar warm feelings for our relatives, we will be motivated to help them. 

Read Galatians 6:9. Even if our relatives are not yet interested in our beliefs, we should be patient with them and not give up in "doing what is fine." We know that it takes time for a person to overcome deep-seated prejudice and to build faith. At one time, were you like those who had "no hope and were you without God in the world"? (Ephesians 2:12) If so, no doubt someone came to your aid. Are you not also moved to help fill the spiritual needs of your family, if possible?

Next time: How to Help Our Unbelieving Relatives - LOOK BEYOND NEGATIVE WORDS AND ACTIONS

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